Centrifugal pump pet water fountain

ABSTRACT

A pet water fountain is described comprising a bowl for holding an aqueous drinking fluid. The pet water fountain includes a housing configured to cover a portion of the bowl and have a fluid reservoir. The pet water fountain includes a rotatable cone positioned within the housing, the cone tapering outwardly from a bottom end to a top end, the cone bottom end having a fluid inlet to allow the passage of fluid from the bowl through the inlet and into the interior of the cone, the cone top end being in fluid communication with the housing fluid reservoir. The pet water fountain includes a filter ring coupled to the cone top end, the filter ring having an exterior housing and a filtering media positioned within the exterior housing, and an electric motor coupled to the rotatable cone for rotatably driving the rotatable cone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No.11,470,813, filed Sep. 5, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional patent Application No. 62/727,225, filed Sep. 5, 2018, eachof which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of pet water fountains. Moreparticularly, the disclosure relates to a pet water fountain which isdesigned to utilize a centrifugal pump and a water filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many animals have a preference for drinking flowing water. Flowing wateris desirable for animals as it increases interest, which encourages themto drink more fluids. This, in turn, can help reduce problems with theanimal's kidneys or urinary tract. Flowing water also improves watertaste and quality, as flowing water typically has more dissolved oxygen,which can make the water taste better as well as provide potentialhealth benefits.

A problem with water fountains is that the animal's hair and otherdebris may fall into the water, causing a problem with the water pump aswell as contaminating the water. As such, water fountains have useddebris filters. While the debris filter may remove debris from thewater, it does not remove chemical contaminates. Therefore, some filtersare two stage filters that includes a first, debris filter and a second,chemical filter. The chemical filter may be a carbon filter that isplaced on the outlet side of the water pump. The problem with these twostage filters is that they frequently become clogged and they can createa significant backpressure resulting in low flow pressure.

Accordingly, a need exists for an easily maintained animal wateringdevice that provides substantially continuously-moving, filtered,drinking water for animals without creating a significant amount ofnoise or heating of the drinking water.

This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art, whichmay be associated with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.This discussion is believed to assist in providing a framework tofacilitate a better understanding of particular aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that this sectionshould be read in this light, and not necessarily as admissions of priorart.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An animal watering fountain is provided herein. In one embodiment, theanimal watering fountain includes a bowl. The bowl defines a basin witha side wall for holding an aqueous drinking fluid. The bowl is dividedinto a portion for drinking (a drinking basin) and a portion that iscovered (an interior basin). The interior basin is not accessible to apet.

The watering fountain also has a housing. The housing residessubstantially within the bowl and serves to divide the bowl into itsdrinking basin and its interior basin. The housing further includes atleast one port that serves as an inlet port for fluid flow. The inletport may be grated and provides fluid communication between the drinkingbasin and the interior basin.

The watering fountain further includes a reservoir. The reservoir isdisposed above the bowl and is configured to hold a portion of thedrinking fluid. Preferably, the reservoir is integral to the housing.

The watering fountain also includes a water pump. The water pump isconfigured to receive the drinking fluid from the bottom of the interiorbasin (after it travels through the inlet port), and push the drinkingfluid under pressure up to the reservoir.

The water pump includes an electric motor and a water lifting conecoupled to the motor for rotational drive. Filters may be incorporatedinto the cone to filter unwanted contaminants from the water. The waterenters the bottom of the rotating cone within the interior basin andexits the top of the cone at the reservoir.

A filter ring is coupled to the cone top end, the filter ring has anexterior housing and a filtering media positioned within the exteriorhousing.

The reservoir may include a lip. The lip is dimensioned and arranged todeliver drinking fluid from the reservoir back into the drinking basinof the bowl at a splash location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the present inventions can be betterunderstood, certain illustrations, charts and/or flow charts areappended hereto. It is to be noted, however, that the drawingsillustrate only selected embodiments of the inventions and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of scope, for the inventions may admit toother equally effective embodiments and applications.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain embodying principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain of FIG. 1 , showing the flow of water.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the centrifugal pump pet drinkingfountain of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the cone portion of acentrifugal pump pet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the cone portion of acentrifugal pump pet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the cone portion of acentrifugal pump pet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the cone portion of acentrifugal pump pet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the cone portion of acentrifugal pump pet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the cone portion of acentrifugal pump pet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the cone portion of the centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of a centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an exploded side view of a centrifugal pump pet drinkingfountain of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 is a side and top view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pumppet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side and top view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pumppet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a side and top view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pumppet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a side and top view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pumppet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a side view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain in an alternative embodiment

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pumppet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment

FIG. 21 is a side and top view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pumppet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a side and top view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pumppet drinking fountain in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the cone portion of a centrifugal pump petdrinking fountain in an alternative embodiment, shown with a portion ofan outboard wall removed to show an annular channel containing afiltering media.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a filter portion of the cone portion ofthe centrifugal pump pet drinking fountain of FIG. 23 .

FIG. 25 is a perspective, exploded view of a filter portion of the coneportion of the centrifugal pump pet drinking fountain of FIG. 23 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS Definitions

For purposes of the present disclosure, it is noted that spatiallyrelative terms, such as “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “beneath,”“below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein forease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship toanother element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It willbe understood that the spatially relative terms are intended toencompass different orientations of the device in use or operation inaddition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if thedevice in the figures is turned over or rotated, elements described as“below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below”can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Description of Selected Specific Embodiments

With reference next to the drawings, there is a shown a centrifugal pumppet water fountain 10 in a form of the present invention, referencedherein as pet water fountain 10. The pet water fountain 10 has a basinor bowl 12. The bowl 12 is defined by a peripheral wall 14 extendingupwardly from a floor 16. The bowl 12 is configured to hold an aqueousdrinking fluid, such as water W, for a pet.

The pet water fountain 10 not only holds the water W, but alsocirculates that water W so that it remains fresh and oxygenated. Inaddition, the water W may be filtered so that it is maintained in aclean or particle-free state. In order to provide the circulation andfiltering functions, various components are provided. Those componentsare generally held within a housing 22 and are visible in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 1 .

The housing 22 divides the bowl 12 into a drinking portion or basin 26and an interior portion or basin 28. The drinking basin 26 is accessibleto an animal at the front of the fountain 10, while the interior basin28 is located behind and underneath the housing 22 and is not accessibleto the animal.

The housing 22 includes an upright, tubular sidewall 32 extending from afloor 34. The housing 22 is separable or removable from the bowl 12 forcleaning purposes. The floor 34 has a boss or bushing 36. The sidewall32 defines a top opening 38 and has an inlet port or bottom opening 40which allows the flow of water W from the drinking portion 26 to theinterior portion 28. A cap 42 is telescopically and removably mounted tothe top opening 38 of the housing 22.

The housing 22 also defines an annular cone mounting flange 46 which isspaced from the sidewall 32 so as to create a water reservoir 50therebetween. The housing sidewall 32 also includes a spout 52 locatedadjacent the top opening 38 and in fluid communication with thereservoir 50.

A rotating cone-shaped water lifting tube or cone 56 is positionedwithin the housing 22 concentrically within the cone mounting flange 46.The cone 56 has an outer sidewall 60 which narrows or tapers as itextends downwardly to a water opening or inlet 62 adjacent a bottompivot pin or spindle 64. The spindle 64 is configured to be journaledwithin the floor bushing 36. The cone sidewall 60 also defines an opentop opening 66 opposite the inlet 62. An axle 68 extends from thespindle 64 to a position near and concentrically with the top opening66.

The axle 68 is coupled to an electric motor 72 which is mounted to theexterior, top surface of the top cap 42. The electric motor 72 may beany conventionally know AC, DC, brush, or brushless electric motor whichmay cause rotational movement of the axle 68, and thus the rotationalmovement of the entire cone 56, as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2 . Theelectric motor 72 is electrically coupled to an optional electric killswitch 74 positioned to engage the cap 42 when it is coupled to thehousing 22 in a closed position. The motor may operate at differentspeeds according to the current provided to the motor, or may beregulated through a multi-position switch which also regulates thecurrent to the motor

In use, water W is placed within the bowl 12 so that it rises to theappropriate level within the bowl 12 so as to fill both the drinkingbasin 26 and the interior basin 28. With the water W filled to thislevel, the water is well above the position of the cone inlet 62. Thewater fills the interior basin 28 by passing from the drinking basin 26through the housing bottom opening 40 and into the interior basin 28.

With energization of the electric motor 72, the motor imparts arotational motion upon the cone axle 68, which causes the entire cone 56to rotate, as shown by arrow A in FIG. 2 . The rotational motion of thecone 56 causes water within the bottom portion of the cone to climb theinterior surface of the outwardly tapered sidewalls 60 throughcentrifugal force, as shown by arrow B in FIG. 2 . As the water flowsover the top of the cone 56 or sidewalls 60, the water W is thrown intothe reservoir 50.

The water W within the reservoir 50 pools until it reaches the level ofthe spout 52, wherein the water W starts to flow over the spout 52 anddrops down back into the drinking basin 26, as shown by arrow C in FIG.2 . Thus, the water W continuously circulates or flows from the drinkingbasin 26, through the bottom opening 40 to the interior basin 28 whereit is pumped into the reservoir 50 through the rotational action of thecone 56, and out of the reservoir 50 through the spout 52 and back intothe drinking basin 26.

With reference next to FIG. 4 , there is shown a cone 80 in another formof the invention. Here, the cone 80 includes a debris filter 82 coupledto the bottom end of the cone 80. The debris filter 82 limits thepassage of large particles or hair from entering the cone 80, thusfiltering the water W passing through the water fountain.

The debris filter 82 may also be configured to snap onto the bottom ofthe cone so that a cone manufactured as two halves may be held togetherthrough the use of the debris filter 82.

With reference next to FIG. 5 , there is shown a bottom portion 90 ofthe housing 22 in another form of the invention. Here, the housing floorincludes an annular debris filter 92 having a central channel 94 whichis configured to receive a bottom portion of the cone 56. The debrisfilter 92 limits the passage of large particles and hair from enteringthe cone 56, thus filtering the water W passing through the waterfountain.

With reference next to FIG. 6 , there is shown a cone 100 in anotherform of the invention. Here, the cone 100 includes a bottom portion 102which is configured to mate with a top portion 104 to complete the cone100. The top portion 104 may be one of several sizes, illustrated as topportions 104A, 104B and 104C. The height of the cone 100 may varydepending upon which top portion 104A, 104B or 104C is utilized, thusallowing the same cone bottom portion 102 to be used in several waterfountain configurations or sizes having different cone heights.

Of course, the cone 100 may also incorporate a debris filter or otherfilter described herein.

With reference next to FIG. 7 , there is shown a cone 110 in anotherform to the invention. Here, the cone 110 includes an annular universalradial filter 112 coupled to the top of the cone 110 through a snap ortwist lock. The cone 110 may also include a lid 114 which fits over thetop of the filter 102.

The filter 112 may be an absorption type filter which absorbs theimpurities or particles and is replaced over time. The tangentialvelocity of the water W at the filter 112 causes the water W to beforced through the filter 112.

The use of the lid 114 allows the cone 110 to use a filter 112 fordifferent pump heights as the lid forces the water W out of the sidewall60.

With reference next to FIG. 8 , there is shown a cone 120 in anotherform to the invention. Here, the cone 120 includes more than one filter,wherein the filters may be of different types depending upon the desiredresult, such as a mechanical debris filter, a contaminants filter, or achemical filter. The cone 120 has the different filters located atdifferent heights, as the cone is spun at different speeds the exitheight is changed to encourage flow through the filter of choice. Thecone 120 has an annular, first, lower filter 122 and an annular, second,upper filter 124. The lower filter 122 may be a filter that waterconstantly travels through during normal operation, such as an activatedcarbon filter. The upper filter 124 may be the type of filter whichrequires only a single pass through the filter to be useful. The upperfilter 124 is one which is utilized each time that new water is added tothe water fountain 10. To ensure that the new water is properlyprocessed through the upper filter, the water fountain motor 72 isoperated at a higher RPM to force the water W higher up the cone 120than the standard RPM. The motor 72 would operate at the higher RPM foran amount of time to ensure that the water W within the bowl passesthrough the upper filter 124 before the motor returning to its normalRPM.

The cone 120 also may include a radial array of upwardly extending fins126 extending inwardly from the interior surface of the cone 120. Thefins 126 divert the flow of water W over the lower filter 122 when themotor 72 is operating at a higher RPM, so that the water W flows to andthrough the upper filter 124.

With reference next to FIG. 9 , there is shown a cone 130 in anotherform of the invention. Here, the cone 130 has an interior surface fromwhich extends an annular array of inwardly extending projections, bumps,or knobs 132. The projections 132 may be arranged at several differentheights along the cone 130.

The projections 132 are designed to perform two functions. First to actas a paddle and help push the water up the cone during centrifugalmotion and second to catch hair and other particles as the water W flowsacross the interior surface of the cone 130.

With reference next to FIG. 10 , there is shown a cone 140 in anotherform to the invention. Here, the cone 140 has an interior surface fromwhich extends an annular array of inwardly extending needle-likeprojections, needles or sharp projections 142. The sharp projections 142may be arranged at several different heights along the cone 140.

The sharp projections 142 are designed to catch hair and other particlesas the water W flows across the interior surface of the cone 140.

With reference next to FIG. 11 , there is shown a cone 150 in anotherform to the invention. Here, the cone 150 has an interior surface towhich a mesh or mesh net 152 is coupled. The net 152 may be arranged tostand off or be spaced from the interior surface of the cone 150.

The net 152 is designed to catch hair and other particles as the water Wflows across the interior surface of the cone 150.

The cone of any of the embodiments herein may be removed from thehousing 22 by simply removing the cap 42 from the housing 22 andseparating the cone axle 68 from the motor 72. Thus, allows the cone tobe cleaned and/or the filter replaced, or the cone can be replaced.

With reference next to FIGS. 12 and 13 , there is shown a cone 160 inanother form to the invention. Here, the cone 160 has an interiorsurface from which extends a radial array of fins 162. The fins 162 aidin lifting or increasing the flowrate of the water as the cone 160rotates.

With reference next to FIGS. 14 and 15 , there is a shown a centrifugalpump pet water fountain 210 in another form of the present invention.The pet water fountain 210 has a basin or bowl 212. The bowl 212 isdefined by a peripheral wall 214 extending upwardly from a floor 216.The bowl 212 is configured to hold an aqueous drinking fluid, such aswater W, for a pet.

The pet water fountain 210 not only holds the water W, but alsocirculates that water W so that it remains fresh and oxygenated. Inaddition, the water W may be filtered so that it is maintained in aclean or particle-free state. In order to provide the circulation andfiltering functions, various components are provided. Those componentsare generally held within a housing 222 and are visible in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 14 .

The housing 222 divides the bowl 212 into a drinking portion or basin226 and an interior portion or basin 228. The drinking basin 226 isaccessible to an animal at the front of the fountain 210, while theinterior basin 228 is located behind and underneath the housing 222 andis not accessible to the animal. The bowl 212 has an elongated axlesleeve 236 having a top opening 237.

The housing 222 includes an upright, tubular sidewall 232. The housing222 is separable or removable from the bowl 212 for cleaning purposes.The sidewall 232 defines a housing top opening 238 and has an inlet portor bottom opening 240 which allows the flow of water W from the drinkingportion 226 to the interior portion 228. A cap 242 is telescopically andremovably mounted to the top opening 238 of the housing 222.

The housing 222 also defines an annular cone mounting flange 246 whichis spaced from the sidewall 232 so as to create a water reservoir 250therebetween. The housing sidewall 232 also includes a spout 252 locatedadjacent the top opening 238 and in fluid communication with thereservoir 250.

A rotating cone-shaped water lifting tube or cone 256 is positionedwithin the housing 222 concentrically within the cone mounting flange246. The cone 256 has an outer sidewall 260 which narrows or tapers asit extends downwardly to a water opening or inlet 262 adjacent a bottomportion of the cone 256. The cone 256 also has an inner sidewall 263which is joined to the outer sidewall 260 along the bottom of the cone256. The inner sidewall 263 forms a sleeve receiving channel 265configured to receive axle sleeve 236 therein. The sleeve receivingchannel 265 terminates at a central axle receiving boss 269. The coneouter sidewall 260 also defines a cone open top opening 266 opposite theinlet 262. An axle 268 extends through the axle sleeve 237 and isconfigured to be removably coupled to cone axle receiving boss 269. Anannular shaped filter 271 may be positioned about boss 269. The axle 268may include an axle housing 273.

The axle 268 is coupled to an electric motor 272 which is mounted belowthe bowl 212. The electric motor 272 may be any conventionally know AC,DC, brush, or brushless electric motor which may cause rotationalmovement of the axle 268, and thus the rotational movement of the entirecone 256. The electric motor 272 is electrically coupled to an optionalelectric kill switch positioned to engage the cap 242 when it is coupledto the housing 222 in a closed position. The motor may operate atdifferent speeds according to the current provided to the motor, or maybe regulated through a multi-position switch which also regulates thecurrent to the motor. The motor 272 and any electrical components,including a power cord and on/off switch, may be coupled to and mountedwithin a lower housing or pedestal 275.

In use, water W is placed within the bowl 212 so that it rises to theappropriate level within the bowl 212 so as to fill both the drinkingbasin 226 and the interior basin 228. With the water W filled to thislevel, the water is well above the position of the cone inlet 262,however, the water is below the level of the axle sleeve top opening237. With the water level below that of top opening 237, the watercannot flow into the top opening 237 and reach the motor. Thus, the topopening 237 does not require a water seal. The water fills the interiorbasin 228 by passing from the drinking basin 226 through the housingbottom opening 240 and into the interior basin 228.

With energization of the electric motor 272, the motor imparts arotational motion upon the cone axle 268, which causes the entire cone256 to rotate. The rotational motion of the cone 256 causes water withinthe bottom portion of the cone to climb the interior surface of theoutwardly tapered sidewalls 260 through centrifugal force. The waterflows through filter 271 prior to reaching the top of the cone 256. Asthe water flows over the top of the cone 256 or sidewalls 260, the waterW is thrown into the reservoir 250.

The water W within the reservoir 250 pools until it reaches the level ofthe spout 252, wherein the water W starts to flow over the spout 252 anddrops down back into the drinking basin 226. Thus, the water Wcontinuously circulates or flows from the drinking basin 226, throughthe bottom opening 240 to the interior basin 228 where it is pumped intothe reservoir 250 through the rotational action of the cone 256, and outof the reservoir 250 through the spout 252 and back into the drinkingbasin 226.

Again, the motor 272 is an aircooled motor rather than a water-cooledmotor, thus avoiding the problem of the motor 272 heating the drinkingwater within the bowl 212.

With reference next to FIG. 16 , there is shown a cone 300 in anotherform of the invention. Here, the cone 300 has a generally triangularshape rather than the round shape of a typical cone with respect to ahorizontally oriented plane. The triangular shape aids in moving thewater as the cone rotates.

With reference next to FIG. 17 , there is shown a cone 320 in anotherform of the invention. Here, the cone 300 has a generally square shaperather than the round shape of a typical cone with respect to ahorizontally oriented plane. The square shape aids in moving the wateras the cone rotates.

With reference next to FIG. 18 , there is shown a cone 340 in anotherform of the invention. Here, the cone 300 has a generally octagonalshape rather than the round shape of a typical cone with respect to ahorizontally oriented plane. The octagonal shape aids in moving thewater as the cone rotates.

With reference next to FIG. 19 , there is shown a cone 360 in anotherform of the invention. Here, the cone 300 has an irregular shape ratherthan the round shape of a typical cone with respect to a horizontallyoriented plane. The irregular shape aids in moving the water as the conerotates.

The cones of FIGS. 16-19 show a variety of regular and irregularpolygonal shaped cones, the polygonal shape taken along a cross-sectionplane oriented generally perpendicular to the axis or axle of the cone.The cone may also include curved segments as opposed to thestraight-lined segments of polygons, thus, the cone may have anon-circular cross-section. As such, the term cone or cone-shaped tubeas used herein is not limited to a tapered configuration having acircular cross-section, and may include any tapered configurationregardless of the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis. Inall cases, the cones being axially asymmetrical simulates the action ofa fin to centrifugally push the water but now the inner surface of thecone is smooth and thus has less internal surfaces to clean.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show an additional embodiment 310 of a cone. FIGS. 20Aand 20B show an arrangement of one or more tubes 312 shaped in a coneconfiguration. Water enters the tubes at their lower end 314 and isforced up the tubes via centrifugal force.

With reference next to FIG. 21 , there is shown a cone 380 in anotherform of the invention. Here, the cone 380 has a sidewall with a ledge384 which forms a stepped configuration and an annular flow throughwater filter 382 positioned to abut the ledge 384 of step.

In use, the water flows generally over the filter, as indicated by thearrow A, but also flows outwardly through the filter 382. Thecentrifugal force created by the rotation of the cone helps in forcingthe water through the filter 382, which increases the filterseffectiveness.

With reference next to FIG. 22 , there is shown a cone 390 in anotherform of the invention. Here, the cone 390 has a stepped configurationand an annular flow through water filter 392 located at the location ofthe step 394. The cone 390 includes a bottom portion 395 which isconfigured to mate with a top portion 396 to complete the cone 390. Thetop portion 396 may be one of several sizes, similar to that describedin reference to FIG. 6 . The height of the cone 390 may vary dependingupon which top portion 396 is utilized, thus allowing the same conebottom portion 395 to be used in several water fountain configurationsor sizes having different cone heights. Also, as the filter is locatedin the bottom portion 395, the unwanted debris collects in the bottomportion. Thus, the bottom portion 395 may be removed and replaced withanother similar bottom portion for quick cleaning of the pet waterfountain.

It should be understood that the motor 72 may include electronics whichmonitor the electrical current, speed or RPM of the motor. With suchcapabilities, the clogging of a filter described herein will cause morewater to be retained within the cone, requiring more electrical currentto maintain the motor's RPM. As the electric current increases, acut-off threshold programmed within the electronics may be detected tonotify the system that a new filter or cleaning is required.

With reference next to FIGS. 23-25 , there is shown a cone 440 inanother form of the invention. Here, the cone 440 includes an annularfilter or filter ring 442 that is preferably removably coupled to thetop of the cone 440 through a coupling means in the form of threads 441.The coupling means may be in the form of a mating snap lock, twist lock,magnetic coupler, mating threads, or the like. The coupling means may beassociated with either the bottom surface, top surface, or both thebottom and top surfaces of the filter ring 442 to enable the filter ringto be mounted in either orientation. The filter ring 442 may be made ofa plastic, composite, metal or other suitable material.

The filter ring 442 includes an exterior housing 444 and an annular,interior filtering media 446. The exterior housing 444 has a lowerhousing 448 and an upper housing 450 that removably fit together to forman annular filter channel 452 therein in which resides the filter media446. The lower housing 448 is generally U-shaped in cross-section, asbest shown in FIG. 23 .

The lower housing 448 has an upright, exterior, or outboard wall 456having a plurality or an annular array of water exit openings 458therethrough. Similarly, the lower housing 448 has an upright, interior,or inboard wall 460 having a plurality or an annular array of waterentrance openings 462 therethrough. A floor 463 extends between theoutboard wall 456 and inboard wall 460. The outboard wall 456, andinboard wall 460 are separated from each other to define the filterchannel 452 therebetween.

The upper housing 450 is annular in shape and is configured to beremovably coupled to the lower housing 448. Again, the removablycoupling of the upper and lower housings 450 and 448 may be accomplishedthrough any conventional means, such as a mating snap lock, twist lock,magnetic coupler, mating threads, or the like. The upper housing 448 isshown in the drawings having snap lock fittings or flanges 464configured to engage the interior surfaces of the outboard and inboardwalls 456 and 460 of the lower housing 448. The upper housing 450 has acentral opening 466 defined by an interior edge or wall 468. Theinterior wall 468 has an annular array of radially aligned, inwardlyextending fingers, projections, or protrusions 470.

The annular filter media 446 is preferably made of a carbon material.Alternatively, the filter media 446 may be made of a fine mesh, felt,filter paper, or the like. However, a carbon material is preferred as itmay remove unwanted chemicals from the water.

In use and as previously described, water W is placed within the bowl 12so that it rises to the appropriate level within the bowl 12 so as tofill both the drinking basin 26 and the interior basin 28. With thewater W filled to this level, the water W is well above the position ofthe cone inlet 62 of cone 440. The water W fills the interior basin 28by passing from the drinking basin 26 through the housing bottom opening40 and into the interior basin 28.

With energization of the electric motor 72, the motor imparts arotational motion upon the cone axle 68, which causes the entire cone440 to rotate. The rotational motion of the cone 440 causes water withinthe bottom portion of the cone to climb the interior surface of theoutwardly tapered sidewalls 60 through centrifugal force. As the waterflows toward the top of the cone 440 or sidewalls 60, the water W passesinto the entrance openings 462 of the inboard wall 460 of the filterring 442. The water W then passes through the filtering media 446 withinthe annular channel 452, wherein contaminants within the water areremoved. Lastly, the water W exits the filter ring 442 through the exitopenings 458 in the outboard wall 456 of the filter ring 442. Thus, thewater W passes through the filter ring 442 to remove contaminants fromthe water W.

The rotation of the cone 440 and filter ring 442 creates a centrifugalforce upon the water W that forces it through the filtering media, i.e.,the addition of a centrifugal force on the water increases fluidpressure through the filtering media 446. The increased fluid pressureaids in restricting the harmful effects of a backpressure associatedwith filters of the prior art.

As the water W leaves the rotating filter ring 442 the water W is throwninto the reservoir 50. The water W within the reservoir 50 pools untilit reaches the level of the spout 52, wherein the water W starts to flowover the spout 52 and drops down back into the drinking basin 26. Thus,the water W continuously circulates or flows from the drinking basin 26,through the bottom opening 40 to the interior basin 28 where it ispumped into the reservoir 50 through the rotational action of the cone56, and out of the reservoir 50 through the spout 52 and back into thedrinking basin 26. The protrusions 470 of the upper housing 450 functionas a debris catchment which capture and remove animal hair from thewater W.

The upper housing 450 is preferably removable from the lower housing 448so that the filtering media 446 within the annular channel 452 may becleaned or removed and replaced with another clean filtering media 446.

It should be understood that the filter ring 442 may include anindicator to show or indicate the useful life of the filtering media446.

If the pet water fountain runs low on water, no water will reside withinthe interior of the cone. The lack of water results in less electricalcurrent being required to maintain the motor's RPM. The decrease incurrent results in a low threshold being detected which halts theoperation of the motor and notifies the system that more water isrequired.

It should be understood that with the present invention the air-cooledmotor is positioned outside the bowl or the water, i.e., it is notsubmersed within the water. As such, the motor is not cooled by thewater and no harm will come to the motor if the system runs dry ofwater, a problem associated with water cooled motors of the prior artwater fountains. Also, as the motor is not submerged for cooling, themotor does not heat the drinking water, another problem associated withwater cooled motors of the prior art water fountains.

Filters described herein may be of any conventional construction, suchas foam, thin slots through a wall, non-woven material, porous material,or the like.

A pet water fountain is described herein that comprises a bowl forholding an aqueous drinking fluid. The pet water fountain includes ahousing configured to cover a portion of the bowl, the housing defininga cone mounting flange and a fluid reservoir. The pet water fountainincludes a rotatable cone positioned within the cone mounting flange,the cone tapering outwardly from a bottom end to a top end, the conebottom end having a fluid inlet to allow the passage of fluid from thebowl through the inlet and into the interior of the cone, the bowl topend being in fluid communication with the housing fluid reservoir. Thepet water fountain includes an electric motor coupled to the rotatablecone for rotatably driving the rotatable cone.

The electric motor of an embodiment is positioned outside the bowl.

The electric motor of an embodiment is an air-cooled electric motor.

The cone of an embodiment includes a central axle and wherein theelectric motor is coupled to the central axle.

The cone of an embodiment has an interior surface having a plurality ofinwardly extending projections.

The projections of an embodiment are upwardly extending elongated ribs.

The projections of an embodiment are inwardly extending bumps.

The projections of an embodiment are inwardly extending needle likeprojections.

The cone of an embodiment has an interior surface, and wherein the petwater fountain further comprises a mesh overlaying the interior surfaceof the cone.

The cone of an embodiment includes a cone bottom portion and a cone topportion mounted to the cone bottom portion, whereby cone top portions ofvarious heights may be mounted to the cone bottom portion to providedifferent overall heights of the cone.

The cone of an embodiment includes a water filter.

The water filter is a two-part water filter having a first part mountedat a first select height and a second part mounted at a second selectheight higher than the first select height of the first part, under anembodiment.

The cone includes a stepped sidewall forming a ledge, and wherein thepet water fountain further comprises a water filter positioned to abutthe ledge, under an embodiment.

The cone of an embodiment has a non-circular cross-sectional shape alonga plane perpendicular to an axis of the cone.

The cone of an embodiment has a polygonal cross-sectional shape along aplane perpendicular to an axis of the cone.

The cone of an embodiment includes an exterior sidewall having aninterior water contacting surface and an interior sidewall forming anaxle receiving channel.

A cap coupled to the housing positioned to overlay the cone top end,under an embodiment.

A pet water fountain is described herein for dispensing an aqueousdrinking fluid, under an embodiment. The pet water fountain includes abowl having a drinking portion and an interior portion. The pet waterfountain includes a housing at least partially covering the interiorportion. The pet water fountain includes a fluid reservoir in fluidcommunication with the bowl, and a liquid pump in fluid communicationwith the bowl and the reservoir, the liquid pump including a cone-shapedtube coupled to an electric motor for rotation of the cone-shaped tube,the cone-shaped tube having a lower end positioned within the bowl andan upper end positioned adjacent the fluid reservoir.

The electric motor of an embodiment is positioned outside the bowl.

The electric motor of an embodiment is an air-cooled electric motor.

The cone-shaped tube of an embodiment includes a central axle andwherein the electric motor is coupled to the central axle.

The cone-shaped tube of an embodiment has an interior surface having aplurality of inwardly extending projections.

The projections of an embodiment are upwardly extending ribs.

The projections of an embodiment are inwardly extending bumps.

The projections of an embodiment are inwardly extending needle likeprojections.

The cone-shaped tube has an interior surface, and wherein the pet waterfountain further comprises a mesh overlaying the interior surface of thecone-shaped tube, under an embodiment.

The cone-shaped tube of an embodiment includes a water filter.

The water filter is a two-part water filter having a first part mountedat a first select height and a second part mounted at a second selectheight higher than the first select height of the first part, under anembodiment.

The cone-shaped tube includes a tube bottom portion and a tube topportion mounted to the tube bottom portion, whereby tube top portions ofvarious heights may be mounted to the tube bottom portion to providedifferent overall heights of the cone-shaped tube, under an embodiment.

The cone-shaped tube includes a stepped sidewall forming a ledge, andwherein the pet water fountain further comprises a water filterpositioned to abut the ledge, under an embodiment.

The cone-shaped tube has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along aplane perpendicular to an axis of the cone-shaped tube, under anembodiment.

The cone-shaped tube has a polygonal cross-sectional shape along a planeperpendicular to an axis of the cone-shaped tube, under an embodiment.

The cone-shaped tube includes an exterior sidewall having an interiorwater contacting surface and an interior sidewall forming an axlereceiving channel, under an embodiment.

A cap is coupled to the housing positioned to overlay the cone-shapedtube top end, under an embodiment.

A pet water fountain is described that comprises a water bowl. The petwater fountain includes a housing coupled to the water bowl. The petwater fountain includes a rotating cone coupled to the housing, the conehaving a water inlet extending through a lower portion of the cone and awater outlet at an upper portion of the cone, and an electric motorcoupled to the cone for rotational movement of the cone, the electricmotor being positioned outside the water bowl.

The electric motor of an embodiment is positioned outside the bowl.

The electric motor of an embodiment is an air-cooled electric motor.

The cone of an embodiment includes a central axle and wherein theelectric motor is coupled to the central axle.

The cone of an embodiment has an interior surface having a plurality ofinwardly extending projections.

The projections of an embodiment are upwardly extending ribs.

The projections of an embodiment are inwardly extending bumps.

The projections of an embodiment are inwardly extending needle likeprojections.

The cone of an embodiment has an interior surface, and wherein the petwater fountain further comprises a mesh overlaying the interior surfaceof the cone.

The cone of an embodiment includes a water filter.

The water filter is a two-part water filter having a first part mountedat a first select height and a second part mounted at a second selectheight higher than the first select height of the first part, under anembodiment.

The cone includes a cone bottom portion and a cone top portion mountedto the cone bottom portion, whereby cone top portions of various heightsmay be mounted to the cone bottom portion to provide different overallheights of the cone, under an embodiment.

The cone includes a stepped sidewall forming a ledge, and wherein thepet water fountain further comprises a water filter positioned to abutthe ledge, under an embodiment.

The cone of an embodiment has a non-circular cross-sectional shape alonga plane perpendicular to an axis of the cone.

The cone of an embodiment has a polygonal cross-sectional shape along aplane perpendicular to an axis of the cone.

The cone includes of an embodiment an exterior sidewall having aninterior water contacting surface and an interior sidewall forming anaxle receiving channel.

A cap is coupled to the housing positioned to overlay the cone upperportion, under an embodiment.

A pet water fountain is described herein comprising under an embodimenta bowl for holding an aqueous drinking fluid. The pet water fountainincludes a housing configured to cover a portion of the bowl and have afluid reservoir. The pet water fountain includes a rotatable conepositioned within the housing, the cone tapering outwardly from a bottomend to a top end, the cone bottom end having a fluid inlet to allow thepassage of fluid from the bowl through the inlet and into the interiorof the cone, the cone top end being in fluid communication with thehousing fluid reservoir. The pet water fountain includes a filter ringcoupled to the cone top end, the filter ring having an exterior housingand a filtering media positioned within the exterior housing, and anelectric motor coupled to the rotatable cone for rotatably driving therotatable cone.

The electric motor of an embodiment is positioned outside the bowl.

The filter ring of an embodiment is removably coupled to the rotatablecone.

The exterior housing of an embodiment has a lower housing and an upperhousing, and wherein the lower housing includes an inboard wall and anoutboard wall spaced from the inboard wall to define a channeltherebetween, and wherein the filtering media is positioned within thechannel.

The inboard wall has a plurality of water entrance openings, and whereinthe outboard wall has a plurality of water exit openings, under anembodiment.

The upper housing is removably coupled to the lower housing, under anembodiment.

The upper housing has a central opening, and the upper housing has aplurality of inwardly extending projections, under an embodiment.

The filtering media is a carbon material, under an embodiment.

A pet water fountain for dispensing an aqueous drinking fluid isdescribed herein comprising under an embodiment a bowl having a drinkingportion and an interior portion. The pet water fountain includes ahousing at least partially covering the interior portion. The pet waterfountain includes a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with thebowl. The pet water fountain includes a liquid pump in fluidcommunication with the bowl and the reservoir, the liquid pump includinga cone-shaped tube coupled to an electric motor for rotation of thecone-shaped tube, the cone-shaped tube having a lower end positionedwithin the bowl and an upper end positioned adjacent the fluidreservoir, and a water filter ring coupled to the upper end of thecone-shaped tube, the water filter ring having an exterior housing withan interior wall with a plurality of water entrance openings and anexterior wall with a plurality of water exit openings, the water filterring also having a filtering media positioned within the exteriorhousing between the interior wall and the exterior wall.

The water filter ring is removably coupled to the cone-shaped tube,under an embodiment.

The exterior housing has a lower housing and an upper housing, andwherein the lower housing includes the interior wall and the exteriorwall, and wherein the interior wall and the exterior wall define anannular channel in which the filtering media is positioned, under anembodiment.

The upper housing is removably coupled to the lower housing, under anembodiment.

The upper housing has a central opening, and wherein the upper housinghas a plurality of inwardly extending projections, under an embodiment.

The filtering media is a carbon material, under an embodiment.

A pet water fountain is described herein comprising under an embodimenta water bowl. The pet water fountain includes a housing coupled to thewater bowl. The pet water fountain includes a rotating cone coupled tothe housing, the rotating cone having a water inlet extending through alower portion of the rotating cone and a water outlet at an upperportion of the rotating cone. The pet water fountain includes a waterfilter coupled to the upper portion of the rotating cone, the waterfilter having a filter housing and a filtering media positioned withinthe filter housing, and an electric motor coupled to the rotating conefor rotational movement of the rotating cone, the electric motor beingpositioned outside the water bowl.

The water filter is removably coupled to the rotating cone, under anembodiment.

The water filter has a lower housing and an upper housing, and whereinthe lower housing includes an inboard wall and an outboard wall spacedfrom the inboard wall to define a channel therebetween, and wherein thefiltering media is positioned within the channel, under an embodiment.

The inboard wall has a plurality of water entrance openings, and whereinthe outboard wall has a plurality of water exit openings, under anembodiment.

The upper housing is removably coupled to the lower housing, under anembodiment.

The upper housing has a central opening, and wherein the upper housinghas a plurality of inwardly extending projections, under an embodiment.

The filtering media is a carbon material, under an embodiment.

A pet water fountain filter ring is described herein comprising under anembodiment an annular exterior housing having an interior wall with aplurality of water entrance openings and an exterior wall with aplurality of water exit openings, the interior wall and the exteriorwall forming a filter channel therebetween, and an annular waterfiltering media positioned within the filter channel of the exteriorhousing.

The exterior housing has a plurality of inwardly extending projections,under an embodiment.

The inwardly extending projections extend radially from an upper housingof the exterior housing, under an embodiment.

The upper housing extends between the interior wall and the exteriorwall oppositely disposed from the floor, under an embodiment.

The exterior housing includes a floor extending between the interiorwall and the exterior wall, under an embodiment.

A pet water fountain filter ring is described herein comprising under anembodiment an annular exterior housing having an interior wall, anexterior wall and a floor extending between the interior wall andexterior wall to form a U-shaped filter channel, the interior wallhaving a plurality of water entrance openings therethrough, the exteriorwall having a plurality of water exit openings therethrough, and anannular water filtering media positioned within the filter channel ofthe exterior housing.

The interior wall has a plurality of inwardly extending projections,under an embodiment.

The inwardly extending projections extend radially from an upper housingof the exterior housing, under an embodiment.

The upper housing extends between the interior wall and the exteriorwall oppositely disposed from the floor, under an embodiment.

A pet water fountain combination water lifting tube and filter ring isdescribed herein comprising under an embodiment a water lifting tube,and an annular filter ring coupled to the water lifting tube, the filterring having an annular exterior housing having an interior wall with aplurality of water entrance openings and an exterior wall with aplurality of water exit openings, the interior wall and the exteriorwall forming a filter channel therebetween, and an annular waterfiltering media positioned within the filter channel of the exteriorhousing.

The interior wall has a plurality of inwardly extending projections,under an embodiment.

The inwardly extending projections extend radially from an upper housingof the exterior housing.

The upper housing extends between the interior wall and the exteriorwall oppositely disposed from the floor, under an embodiment.

The exterior housing includes a floor extending between the interiorwall and the exterior wall, under an embodiment.

The water lifting tube is a cone, under an embodiment.

A cone inlet of the water lifting tube is positionable within a body ofwater, under an embodiment.

The annular filter ring and the water lifting tube are coupled to adrive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to impartannular rotation to the annular filter ring and the water lifting tubethrough the coupling, under an embodiment.

The annular rotation drives water through the cone inlet and up aninterior surface of the water lifting tube toward the annular filterring, under an embodiment.

The water upon reaching the annular filter ring enters the plurality ofwater entrance openings, passes through the annular water filteringmedia, and exits the plurality of water exit openings, under anembodiment.

Variations of the water fountain for watering an animal may fall withinthe spirit of the claims, below. It will be appreciated that theinventions are susceptible to modification, variation, and changewithout departing from the spirit thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pet water fountain comprising: a bowl forholding an aqueous drinking fluid; a housing configured to cover aportion of the bowl and have a fluid reservoir; a rotatable conepositioned within the housing, the cone tapering outwardly from a bottomend to a top end, the cone bottom end having a fluid inlet to allow thepassage of fluid from the bowl through the inlet and into the interiorof the cone, the cone top end being in fluid communication with thehousing fluid reservoir; a filter ring coupled to the cone top end, thefilter ring having an exterior housing and a filtering media positionedwithin the exterior housing, the exterior housing has a lower housingand an upper housing, and wherein the lower housing includes an inboardwall and an outboard wall spaced from the inboard wall to define achannel therebetween, wherein the inboard wall has a plurality of waterentrance openings, and wherein the outboard wall has a plurality ofwater exit openings, wherein the filtering media is positioned withinthe channel, and an electric motor coupled to the rotatable cone forrotatably driving the rotatable cone.
 2. The pet water fountain of claim1 wherein the electric motor is positioned outside the bowl.
 3. The petwater fountain of claim 1 wherein the filter ring is removably coupledto the rotatable cone.
 4. The pet water fountain of claim 1 wherein theupper housing is removably coupled to the lower housing.
 5. The petwater fountain of claim 1 wherein the upper housing has a centralopening, and wherein the upper housing has a plurality of inwardlyextending projections.
 6. The pet water fountain of claim 1 wherein thefiltering media is a carbon material.
 7. A pet water fountain fordispensing an aqueous drinking fluid, comprising: a bowl having adrinking portion and an interior portion; a housing at least partiallycovering the interior portion; a fluid reservoir in fluid communicationwith the bowl; a liquid pump in fluid communication with the bowl andthe reservoir, the liquid pump including a cone-shaped tube coupled toan electric motor for rotation of the cone-shaped tube, the cone-shapedtube having a lower end positioned within the bowl and an upper endpositioned adjacent the fluid reservoir, and a water filter ring coupledto the upper end of the cone-shaped tube, the water filter ring havingan exterior housing with an interior wall with a plurality of waterentrance openings and an exterior wall with a plurality of water exitopenings, the water filter ring also having a filtering media positionedwithin the exterior housing between the interior wall and the exteriorwall.
 8. The pet water fountain of claim 7 wherein the water filter ringis removably coupled to the cone-shaped tube.
 9. The pet water fountainof claim 7 wherein the exterior housing has a lower housing and an upperhousing, and wherein the lower housing includes the interior wall andthe exterior wall, and wherein the interior wall and the exterior walldefine an annular channel in which the filtering media is positioned.10. The pet water fountain of claim 9 wherein the upper housing isremovably coupled to the lower housing.
 11. The pet water fountain ofclaim 10 wherein the upper housing has a central opening, and whereinthe upper housing has a plurality of inwardly extending projections. 12.The pet water fountain of claim 7 wherein the filtering media is acarbon material.
 13. A pet water fountain comprising, a water bowl; ahousing coupled to the water bowl; a rotating cone coupled to thehousing, the rotating cone having a water inlet extending through alower portion of the rotating cone and a water outlet at an upperportion of the rotating cone; a water filter coupled to the upperportion of the rotating cone, the water filter having a filter housingand a filtering media positioned within the filter housing, wherein thewater filter has a lower housing and an upper housing, and wherein thelower housing includes an inboard wall and an outboard wall spaced fromthe inboard wall to define a channel therebetween, wherein the filteringmedia is positioned within the channel, wherein the inboard wall has aplurality of water entrance openings, and wherein the outboard wall hasa plurality of water exit openings, and an electric motor coupled to therotating cone for rotational movement of the rotating cone, the electricmotor being positioned outside the water bowl.
 14. The pet waterfountain of claim 13 wherein the water filter is removably coupled tothe rotating cone.
 15. The pet water fountain of claim 13 wherein theupper housing is removably coupled to the lower housing.
 16. The petwater fountain of claim 15 wherein the upper housing has a centralopening, and wherein the upper housing has a plurality of inwardlyextending projections.
 17. The pet water fountain of claim 13 whereinthe filtering media is a carbon material.